CFN at 20 All-America Special Teams: Top Players Over The Last 20 Years

CollegeFootballNews.com 20th Anniversary All-America Special Teams

Who were the biggest offensive stars since 1998? Welcome to the CFN 20th Anniversary All-America Special Teams.

Who were the top special teams stars since 1998?

It’s the 20th anniversary of CollegeFootballNews.com, and we’ve broken down our First, Second, and Third-Team All-America offenses spanning the last two decades.

What makes an All-American on this large a scale over this long a time? 1) Awards and national honors, 2) impact on college football, 3) longevity for some stars, and 4) brilliance in one year for others.

When it comes down to the special teamer, it really does mostly come down to the stats – but there are some special characters in there, too.

Disagree? Did we whiff on your guy? You’re probably right, and you won’t get much of a beef from us … let us know @ColFootballNews.

CFN 20th Anniversary First Team All-America Special Teams

PK – Sebatian Janikowski, Florida State (1997-1999)

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Is Janikowski the most accurate kicker over the last 20 years? He’s not even close. But he was the only two-time Lou Groza winner – winning the award as the nation’s top kicker in 1998 and 1999 – and was a two-time All-American.

He was the rare rock star kicker, with a cannon for a leg, and a few off-the-field issues and skirmishes – mostly bar fights – that made him a story. But with his ridiculous deep leg, and as one of the kickers who finally came through for Bobby Bowden, he was the kicker of kickers.

CFN 20th Anniversary Second Team All-America Special Teams

PK – Roberto Aguayo, Florida State (2013-2015)

59-of-78 on field goals (88.5%), 198-of-198 on extra points, 405 points. 2013 Lou Groza Winner, three-time All-American, three-time All-ACC, set NCAA record for kicker points in a season with 157 in 2013, hitting all but one field goal.

KR – Troy Stoudermire, Minnesota (2008-2012)

144 returns, 3,615 yards, 25.1-yard average – NCAA record-holder for most kickoff return yards, but no touchdowns. Also a good starting defensive back.

PR – Javier Arenas, Alabama (2006-2009)

125 returns for 1,752 yards averaging 14 yards per try with seven touchdowns. Also a top defensive back with 154 career tackles with seven sacks and six picks.

CFN 20th Anniversary Third Team All-America Special Teams

PK – Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State (2013-2016)

96-of-116 on field goals (82.8%), 204-209 on extra points, 492 points. 2016 Lou Groza winner, All-American, three-time All-Pac-12, set the NCAA record for field goals by a relative mile with 96 – eight more than anyone else. Only 13 other kickers finished with 80 or more.